Swedish government better than its reputation

Shortly before Sweden’s parliamentary elections on Sunday, the parties of the conservative governing coalition, which long trailed behind in the polls, have come within five percentage points of the left-wing opposition

The liberal daily Göteborgs-Posten is not surprised:

It seems voters are increasingly remembering all the government has achieved in its eight years in office. … Despite two international crises, Sweden’s economy is today among the strongest in the EU.

… The buying power of private households has risen, which has been an important factor in stimulating the economy. Tax reductions have benefited above all low and middle earners; nurses, for example, receive higher net pay as a result of the tax cuts.

… The right to a free choice of care homes for the elderly and other services has been vastly extended under the coalition. Don’t we want to retain this right to self-determination?